General Information
- Phone:
- (540) 362-3601
- Fax:
- (540) 362-3638
- Street Address:
- 30 Huntington Blvd. N.E.
- Roanoke, VA 24012
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sunday Services: Orthros 9:00am / Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2023-01-08
- Publish Date:
- 2022-12-25
- Publish Date:
- 2022-12-18
- Publish Date:
- 2022-12-11
- Publish Date:
- 2022-12-04
- Publish Date:
- 2022-11-27
News & Information
Sunday - January 1
Circumcision of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ
St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia
Cutting of Vasilopita
The Theophany of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ
Great Blessing of the Waters occurs on Sunday, January 8 following Divine Liturgy
Home & Business Blessings??
NOTE: Please contact Fr. Nick directly to schedule a time for your home's blessings during the week of Jan 8 - 12. He may be reach by phone-text 540-642-0192 or via email: rev.nicholas.holytrinity@gmail.com. He's waiting for your call!
Blacksburg?
Do you live in the greater Blacksburg area? Please contact Maria or Chris Kappas (540) 951-2440 who gratiously agreed to schedule home visits on Fr. Nick's behalf.
Languages?
Do you know someone who seeks a home blessing but unable to schedule a time because of language issues?
- Arabic -- please call Nada Melki 540-556-4231 to schedule a visit
- Romanian - please call the Topsana family 540-462-6133 to schedule a visit
Philoptochos:
Thank you to Angela Flegas. Our esteemed President has agreed to coordinate our Ladies seeking Blessings of their Homes. Kindly reach out to her by cell-text 540-312-6148 or angelaflegas@gmail.com
Hellenic Club:
Attention - Attention - all distinguished members of the Hellenic Club. Please reach out to Frances Simopoulos: 434.851.6830 or francessimopoulos@gmail.com who has agreed to coordinate its members wishing to have their homes blessed.
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From the Desk of Fr. Nick Pappas -----
Our Orthodox Faith confirms, on this day, that Christ was fully human as well as fully divine. Otherwise, why was Christ brought to the Temple to undergo circumcision, a sign of God’s Covenant with Abraham according to Old Testament Law? The Fathers of the Church believed that His Incarnation could be challenged especially if someone questioned His humanity or lack of humanity. These same Fathers teach us that our Lord, the Creator of the Law, underwent circumcision in order to show how this divine ordinance should be fulfilled.
Today's Feast Day (The Circumcision of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ) reminds us that we have entered into a New Covenant with God and “are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” [Colossians 2:11]
We, on this day, also commemorate St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. His reputation proceeded him in all aspects of life. A friend and contemporary, Saint Gregory the Theologian, describes St. Basil as one for “the caring for the destitute and the taking in of strangers, the supervision of virgins, written and unwritten monastic rules for monks, the arrangement of prayers [Liturgy], the felicitous arrangement of altars and other things.” Saint Basil is also known as “the revealer of heavenly mysteries” (a.k.a. Ouranophantor), a “renowned and bright star,” and “the glory and beauty of the Church.” These words speak for themselves and I couldn't say it any better.
The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great is celebrated on this day and nine other times during the church year. It takes more time to celebrate as the Intercession for the living and the dead is much longer. The assigned silent prayers in St. Basil's Liturgy are lengthier than those prayed during St. John Chrysostom's Liturgy. They seem even longer because Fr. Nick reads them aloud in order to share the beauty of his words.
At the conclusion of today's Divine Liturgy, we celebrate the cutting of the Vasilopita, also known as St. Basil's Bread. This tradition began in the 4th centuary and continues to this day. Some believe that it represents the hope that the New Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, health, and happiness for all who participate in the Vasilopita Observance - and, a special blessing if you received a slice of this bread/cake with the hidden coin.
Final Note:
The Greek Orthodox Church does not recognize today as New Year's Day. It is, instead, celebrated on September 1st, the first day of the ecclesiastical New Year. However, we live in the West and the West celebrates the beginning of the new year on Jan 1st and we recognize this fact. So ---- Happy New Year!!!
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Special Days are Ahead!
January 8
Σαραντισμός (Sarantismos) or 40 day blessing or The Churching
Liliane Sleiman, mother of George & Geovany (Twins), will receive special blessings on this day as she returns to the sacramental life of the Church after 40-days of rest. The mother along with Robert (Father) will dedicate the Twins to the Church as did Mary & Joseph who presented Christ to St. Simeon. Witness the joy as the Twins enter & exit the Sanctuary through the Royal Doors. Listen to the Prayers between the tears. All invited to attend a bountiful luncheon in the Church Hall prepared by Nada Melki and the grandparents! Congratulations to the Parents, Liliane & Robert Sleiman. May God grant them strength for the next 18 years and more.
January 15
Fr. Nick & Presvytera Monica will offer Artoclasia (Blessing of the 5 Loaves) on behalf of their daughter, Tanya, in honor of her feast day: St. Tatiana of Rome. The coffee hour will be co-sponsored by Fr. Nick's Family and the Slavic Friends of our Parish. All are welcomed!
Hellenic Club
The Hellenic Club's January outing will be held on Saturday, January 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Billy’s, 102 Market Street, SE, Roanoke. It is rumored that two out-of-town guests will be joining the group for dinner. Who are they? Sorry..........................You'll have to RSVP - ASAP to Frances Simopoulos: 434.851.6830 or francessimopoulos@gmail.com before you learn of their identities.
Note: as of today Fr Nick is editing the online bulletin. Please send any information for inclusion in the future to the church office.
Contact for Announcements: Church Office
Reading this online? Use this link to sign up to receive parish news and the bulletin by email or to remove your email from the list: Subscribe
Welcome to All Visitors!
Please join us for fellowship in the Church Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy. For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith, which is only offered to Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcomed to come forward and receive the antidoron (or blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. For those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to speak with the priest after the service.
Current Monthly Newsletter
Previous Month’s Newsletter
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 48.3,1.
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding.
Verse: Hear this all you nations.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 2:8-12.
BRETHREN, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
البروكيمنون. First Mode. مزمور 48: 3، 1.
فمي يتكلم بالحكمة وقلبي يهذ بالفهم
Verse: اسمعوا هذا يا جميع الأمم
فصل من رسالة بولس الى كولوسي 2: 8-12.
يَُّا إِخْوَة، اُنْظُرُوا انْ لاَ يَكُونَ احَدٌ يَسْبِيكُمْ بِالْفَلْسَفَةِ وَبِغُرُورٍ بَاطِلٍ، حَسَبَ تَقْلِيدِ النَّاسِ، حَسَبَ ارْكَانِ الْعَالَمِ، وَلَيْسَ حَسَبَ الْمَسِيحِ. فَإِنَّهُ فِيهِ يَحِلُّ كُلُّ مِلْءِ اللاَّهُوتِ جَسَدِيّاً. وَأَنْتُمْ مَمْلُوؤُونَ فِيهِ، الَّذِي هُوَ رَأْسُ كُلِّ رِيَاسَةٍ وَسُلْطَانٍ. وَبِهِ ايْضاً خُتِنْتُمْ خِتَاناً غَيْرَ مَصْنُوعٍ بِيَدٍ، بِخَلْعِ جِسْمِ خَطَايَا الْبَشَرِيَّةِ، بِخِتَانِ الْمَسِيحِ. مَدْفُونِينَ مَعَهُ فِي الْمَعْمُودِيَّةِ، الَّتِي فِيهَا اقِمْتُمْ ايْضاً مَعَهُ بِإِيمَانِ عَمَلِ اللهِ، الَّذِي اقَامَهُ مِنَ الأَمْوَاتِ.
Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 48.3,1.
Τὸ στόμα μου λαλήσει σοφίαν καὶ ἡ μελέτη τῆς καρδίας μου σύνεσιν.
Στίχ. Ἀκούσατε ταῦτα, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς 2:8-12.
Ἀδελφοί, βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν· ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ κατοικεῖ πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τῆς θεότητος σωματικῶς, καί ἐστε ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι, ὅς ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλὴ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας· ἐν ᾧ καὶ περιετμήθητε περιτομῇ ἀχειροποιήτῳ, ἐν τῇ ἀπεκδύσει τοῦ σώματος τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῆς σαρκός, ἐν τῇ περιτομῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, συνταφέντες αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι, ἐν ᾧ καὶ συνηγέρθητε διὰ τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐνεργείας τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν.
Gospel Reading
Circumcision of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Luke 2:20-21, 40-52
At that time, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
لوقا 2: 20-21، 40-52
20 في ذلك الزمان رَجَعَ الرُّعَاةُ وَهُمْ يُمَجِّدُونَ اللهَ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا سَمِعُوهُ وَرَأَوْهُ كَمَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ. 21وَلَمَّا تَمَّتْ ثَمَانِيَةُ أَيَّامٍ لِيَخْتِنُوا الصَّبِيَّ سُمِّيَ يَسُوعَ ، كَمَا تَسَمَّى مِنَ الْمَلاَكِ قَبْلَ أَنْ حُبِلَ بِهِ فِي الْبَطْنِ 40وَكَانَ الصَّبِيُّ يَنْمُو وَيَتَقَوَّى بِالرُّوحِ ، مُمْتَلِئاً حِكْمَةً ، وَكَانَتْ نِعْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ. 41وَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ يَذْهَبَانِ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ إِلَى أُورُشَلِيمَ فِي عِيدِ الْفِصْحِ. 42وَلَمَّا كَانَتْ لَهُ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً صَعِدُوا إِلَى أُورُشَلِيمَ كَعَادَةِ الْعِيدِ. 43وَبَعْدَمَا أَكْمَلُوا الأَيَّامَ بَقِيَ عِنْدَ رُجُوعِهِمَا الصَّبِيُّ يَسُوعُ فِي أُورُشَلِيمَ ، وَيُوسُفُ وَأُمُّهُ لَمْ يَعْلَمَا. 44وَإِذْ ظَنَّاهُ بَيْنَ الرُّفْقَةِ ، ذَهَبَا مَسِيرَةَ يَوْمٍ ، وَكَانَا يَطْلُبَانِهِ بَيْنَ الأَقْرِبَاءِ وَالْمَعَارِفِ. 45وَلَمَّا لَمْ يَجِدَاهُ رَجَعَا إِلَى أُورُشَلِيمَ يَطْلُبَانِهِ. 46وَبَعْدَ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ وَجَدَاهُ فِي الْهَيْكَلِ ، جَالِساً فِي وَسْطِ الْمُعَلِّمِينَ ، يَسْمَعُهُمْ وَيَسْأَلُهُمْ. 47وَكُلُّ الَّذِينَ سَمِعُوهُ بُهِتُوا مِنْ فَهْمِهِ وَأَجْوِبَتِهِ. 48فَلَمَّا أَبْصَرَاهُ انْدَهَشَا. وَقَالَتْ لَهُ أُمُّهُ: ((يَا بُنَيَّ ، لِمَاذَا فَعَلْتَ بِنَا هَكَذَا؟ هُوَذَا أَبُوكَ وَأَنَا كُنَّا نَطْلُبُكَ مُعَذَّبَيْنِ!)) 49فَقَالَ لَهُمَا: ((لِمَاذَا كُنْتُمَا تَطْلُبَانِنِي؟ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمَا أَنَّهُ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ أَكُونَ فِي مَا لأَبِي؟)). 50فَلَمْ يَفْهَمَا الْكَلاَمَ الَّذِي قَالَهُ لَهُمَا. 51ثُمَّ نَزَلَ مَعَهُمَا وَجَاءَ إِلَى النَّاصِرَةِ وَكَانَ خَاضِعاً لَهُمَا. وَكَانَتْ أُمُّهُ تَحْفَظُ جَمِيعَ هَذِهِ الأُمُورِ فِي قَلْبِهَا. 52وَأَمَّا يَسُوعُ فَكَانَ يَتَقَدَّمُ فِي الْحِكْمَةِ وَالْقَامَةِ وَالنِّعْمَةِ ، عِنْدَ اللهِ وَالنَّاسِ.
Circumcision of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 2:20-21, 40-52
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὑπέστρεψαν οἱ ποιμένες δοξάζοντες καὶ αἰνοῦντες τὸν Θεὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἤκουσαν καὶ εἶδον καθὼς ἐλαλήθη πρὸς αὐτούς. Καὶ ὅτε ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι ὀκτὼ τοῦ περιτεμεῖν τὸ παιδίον, καὶ ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τὸ κληθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀγγέλου πρὸ τοῦ συλληφθῆναι αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ. Τὸ δὲ παιδίον ηὔξανε καὶ ἐκραταιοῦτο πνεύματι πληρούμενον σοφίας, καὶ χάρις Θεοῦ ἦν ἐπ᾿ αὐτό. Καὶ ἐπορεύοντο οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ κατ᾿ ἔτος εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ τῇ ἑορτῇ τοῦ πάσχα. καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἑορτῆςκαὶ τελειωσάντων τὰς ἡμέρας, ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν αὐτοὺς ὑπέμεινεν ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ παῖς ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνω ᾿Ιωσὴφ καὶ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ. νομίσαντες δὲ αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ συνοδίᾳ εἶναι ἦλθον ἡμέρας ὁδὸν καὶ ἀνεζήτουν αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς συγγενέσι καὶ ἐν τοῖς γνωστοῖς· καὶ μὴ εὑρόντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ζητοῦντες αὐτόν. καὶ ἐγένετο μεθ᾿ ἡμέρας τρεῖς εὗρον αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καθεζόμενον ἐν μέσῳ τῶν διδασκάλων καὶ ἀκούοντα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπερωτῶντα αὐτούς· ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες οἱ ἀκούοντες αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῇ συνέσει καὶ ταῖς ἀποκρίσεσιν αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐξεπλάγησαν, καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ εἶπε· τέκνον, τί ἐποίησας ἡμῖν οὕτως; ἰδοὺ ὁ πατήρ σου κἀγὼ ὀδυνώμενοι ἐζητοῦμέν σε. καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· τί ὅτι ἐζητεῖτέ με; οὐκ ᾔδειτε ὅτι ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου δεῖ εἶναί με; καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐ συνῆκαν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς. καὶ κατέβη μετ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Ναζαρέτ, καὶ ἦν ὑποτασσόμενος αὐτοῖς. καὶ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ διετήρει πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς. Καὶ ᾿Ιησοῦς προέκοπτε σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ Θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode
ان تلميذات الرب تعلمن من الملاك كرز القيامة البهج وطرحن القضية الجدّية وخاطبن الرسل مفتخرات وقائلات : قد سبي الموت وقام المسيح الاله مانحاً العالم الرحمة العظمى.
Apolytikion for Circumcision of Jesus Christ in the First Mode
أيها الرب الجزيل التحنن إنك وأنت إله بحسب الجوهر قد أتخذت صورة بشرية بغير استحالة وإذ أتممت الشريعة تقبلت باختيارك ختانة جسدية لكي تنسخ الرسوم الظلية وتزيل قناع أهوائنا فالمجد لصلاحك المجد لتحننك المجد لتنازلك الذي لا يوصف أيها الكلمة.
Apolytikion for Basil the Great in the First Mode
في كل الأرض المتقبلة أقوالك قد خرجت نغمتك أيها الأب البار التي بها كما يليق بالله شرعت وأعلنت طبيعة الكائنات وثقفت أخلاق البشر يا ذا الكهنوت الملوكي باسيليوس فتشفع إلى المسيح الإله أن يخلص نفوسنا.